Crime and Punishment

This 1901 Enrolled Bill called for 10 lashes at the whipping post for a man convicted of beating his wife.

Crime and Punishment

In 1717, the whipping post became an official form of punishment in Delaware. It was not outlawed until 1972, although 1952 was the last year it was used. In 1915, the code was revised for the amount of lashes imposed for criminal offences. Wife beating was now not less than five or more than thirty. Other offensives with the same punishment included: burglary with explosives, breaking and entering, larceny of a horse, receiving a stolen horse, embezzlement and fraud.

The enrolled bills date from 1776 until 1959 when the house and senate bills were separated into two different collections. The enrolled bills are bills passed by both house and senate. They include the amendments, resolutions and signatures of the members and Governor.